In 1988 General Electric purchased RCA and with it NBC. Due to FCC ownership fules at the time, GE could only keep either the NBC Television stations or its Radio stations. Obviously the radio stations were the ones to go. Emmis Broadcasting, which owned 1050 WFAN and 103.5 WQHT saw this as a perfect opportunity to upgrade the signals of its New York outlets and triggered one of the most complex frequency swaps in radio history. WFAN moved from 1050 to 660, WUKQ debuted on 1050 with a non-commercial Spanish format, but only until Spanish Broadcasting could complete the swap for 97.9 WEVD, while 97.1 WYNY and 103.5 WQHT swapped as well. In the end, this deal was most important for the demise of WNBC and NBC Radio in general. What was once the flagship station of the biggest network in America was biting the dust. Don Imus, and Knicks and Rangers broadcasts did stay put on the frequency with the move in of WFAN. However, the legend of radio at a complex that included Radio City Music Hall was over. By the 1990’s WFAN established itself as the highest billing station in the country and ushered in the development of the sports format nationwide.
See WFAN Moves to 660 to hear the end of 1050 WFAN.
MJay
Don Imus (AM), Cousin Bruce (Lunch), Vernon(with a V Midday) , Dick Summers (At night).
Heres to remembering the perfect lineup.
Dan Gates
The best lineup of all time was Imus in the Morning, Frank Reed middays, Howard Stern for the drive home, etc…BTW, the last unofficial voice heard is Roger Grimsby: “You heard the countdown, it’s over.”